Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

Microfabricated bioreactor chips for immobilised enzyme assays

A microfabricated device is reported that has been designed to permit the in situ packing of a section of channel with enzyme immobilised onto controlled pore glass (CPG). It is fabricated from glass and polydimethylsiloxane and to prevent dead volumes, has dedicated channels for packing the reactor. The device has the advantage of being simple in design, the flow through enzyme reactor channel being simply a widened section of the analyte channel. The system is suitable for both hydrodynamic and electro-osmotic pumping, and is designed such that when the packing is exhausted it can be repacked. Controlled pore glass provides a reproducible none swelling, high porosity medium onto which the enzyme could be immobilised. The large particle size meant that it was vital to optimise the immobilisation procedure in order to achieve acceptable enzyme activity. The microfabricated device was developed with two enzymes of different molecular masses; alkaline phosphatase and xanthine oxidase. The pore size of the CPG was found to be very important for xanthine oxidase, where the 697 Å pore size (120-200 mesh) CPG was found to give the highest activity (18-20% activity retained after immobilisation). The microfabricated device was used for the assay of p-nitrophenyl phosphate and hypoxanthine with spectrophotometric detection at 405 and 470 nm, respectively. The limits of detection were 5 and 8 μM, respectively.     

本征导电聚合物的智能性

在化学掺杂或电化学掺杂过程中，性质发生可逆性变化的本征导电聚合物是一种潜在的智能材料，可望实现或部分实现传感、处理和执竽功能，适于制成电机执行器、智能窗、化学分离与释放体系、传感器和非线性光学器件等。     

差分无源器件的设计

在现代无线通信系统中,差分电路相比单端电路而言具有更强的抗干扰能力,因此受到了国内外学者的广泛关注。文章介绍了混合模散射参数、差分器件设计中常用的微带线和缝隙线及两种传输线之间的相互转化,并介绍了基于微带线和缝隙线转换结构的两种全差分带通滤波器。两种滤波器分别实现了多频段和宽带的差模传输特性以及宽带的共模抑制特性。文章还给出了差分耦合器、差分功分器和差分天线等差分器件的设计。仿真与实测结果吻合较好,验证了设计方法的正确性。     

Interfacial Proton Supply/Filtration Regulates the Dynamics of Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction: A Perspective

As a promising energy carrier, ammonia synthesis by electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is a promising green and low-carbon ammonia synthesis strategy that can replace the traditional Haber–Bosch process. However, the development of eNRR processes is mainly severely constrained by competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and the corresponding strategies to inhibit this adverse side reaction to obtain high eNRR selectivity are still limited. In addition, for this complex reaction involving gas–liquid–solid three-phase interface and proton/electron transfer, it is great significance to analyze and summarize the existing inhibition HER strategies from the viewpoint of dynamics. In view of this, this work reviews proton supply/filtration regulation strategy in catalytic system, allowing a systematic survey of the literature focusing on interface membrane regulation (inorganic membrane and organic membrane), electrolyte regulation (metal-mediated strategy and electrolyte ion regulation strategy) and system device design (electrode structure design and electrolytic cell device design). Constructive catalytic system design guidance is also suggested to inhibit hydrogen evolution and improve NH₃ selectivity, aiming for scalable and economically feasible applications.     

Secure communication in CloudIoT through design of a lightweight authentication and session key agreement scheme

Internet of Things (IoT) is a newly emerged paradigm where multiple embedded devices, known as things, are connected via the Internet to collect, share, and analyze data from the environment. In order to overcome the limited storage and processing capacity constraint of IoT devices, it is now possible to integrate them with cloud servers as large resource pools. Such integration, though bringing applicability of IoT in many domains, raises concerns regarding the authentication of these devices while establishing secure communications to cloud servers. Recently, Kumari et al proposed an authentication scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) for IoT and cloud servers and claimed that it satisfies all security requirements and is secure against various attacks. In this paper, we first prove that the scheme of Kumari et al is susceptible to various attacks, including the replay attack and stolen-verifier attack. We then propose a lightweight authentication protocol for secure communication of IoT embedded devices and cloud servers. The proposed scheme is proved to provide essential security requirements such as mutual authentication, device anonymity, and perfect forward secrecy and is robust against security attacks. We also formally verify the security of the proposed protocol using BAN logic and also the Scyther tool. We also evaluate the computation and communication costs of the proposed scheme and demonstrate that the proposed scheme incurs minimum computation and communication overhead, compared to related schemes, making it suitable for IoT environments with low processing and storage capacity.     

Tetrabutylammonium Bromide Functionalized Ti3C2Tx MXene as Versatile Cathode Buffer Layer for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene, possessing facile preparation, high electrical conductivity, flexibility, and solution processability, shows good application potential for enhancing device performance of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). In this study, tetrabutylammonium bromide functionalized Ti₃C₂T_x (TBAB-Ti₃C₂T_x) is developed as cathode buffer layer (CBL) to regulate the PCBM/Ag cathode interfacial property for the first time. By virtue of the charge transfer from TBAB to Ti₃C₂T_x demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance and density functional theory, the TBAB-Ti₃C₂T_x CBL with high electrical conductivity exhibits significantly reduced work function of 3.9 eV, which enables optimization of energy level alignment and enhancement of charge extraction. Moreover, the TBAB-Ti₃C₂T_x CBL can effectively inhibit the migration of iodine ions from perovskite layer to Ag cathode, which synergistically suppresses defect states and reduce charge recombination. Consequently, utilizing MAPbI₃ perovskite without post-treatment, the TBAB-Ti₃C₂T_x based device exhibits a dramatically improved power conversion efficiency of 21.65% with significantly improved operational stability, which is one of the best efficiencies reported for the devices based on MAPbI₃/PCBM with different CBLs. These results indicate that TBAB-Ti₃C₂T_x shall be a promising CBL for high-performance inverted PVSCs and inspire the further applications of quaternary ammonium functionalized MXenes in PVSCs.     

手持终端设备主备电池控制系统设计

手持终端设备属于一种嵌入式系统,特别在工业应用领域对其供电持续性的要求很高。为了解决单电池供电下设备续航能力不足导致传输数据丢失的问题,本文设计一种主备电池控制系统,提高了整机的续航能力和电源系统的可靠性。方案设计对切换灵敏度、功耗和可靠性方面进行了综合考虑,已经应用到实际产品中,取得了良好的效果。     

碳化硅器件挑战现有封装技术

碳化硅(SiC)器件的新特性和移动应用的功率密度要求给功率器件的封装技术提出了新的挑战。现有功率器件的封装技术主要是在硅基的绝缘栅双极晶体管(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor,IGBT)和金属氧化物半导体场效应晶体管(Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor,MOSFET)等基础上发展起来的,并一直都在演进,但这些渐进改良尚不足以充分发挥SiC器件的性能,因而封装技术需要革命性的进步。在简述现有封装技术及其演进的基础上,主要从功率模块的角度讨论了封装技术的发展方向。同时讨论了功率模块的新型叠层结构以及封装技术的离散化、高温化趋势,并对SiC器件封装技术的发展方向做出了综合评估。     

封装器件多应力叠加失效仿真分析与验证

针对某双列直插式(DIP)封装器件在整机温循试验中出现的失效现象,分析在器件与电路板焊接环节、电路板与整机装配环节和整机温循试验环节3个工况下可能的失效原因,对原因分别进行单工况和多工况的失效仿真分析。针对不同仿真模型在不同工况下的叠加仿真难题,提出基于ANSYS Workbench有限元软件的多应力叠加仿真方法,对比单一工况和多种工况下的仿真结果。结果表明,DIP封装器件失效是器件在焊接尺寸不匹配、过定位装配和温循试验三种工况下,机械应力和热应力的叠加使玻璃绝缘子产生裂纹导致的,有限元仿真结果与实验结果基本吻合,为DIP封装器件在多工况下应力叠加失效的故障机理研究提供一种可参考的仿真方法。